Chapter 38: Chapter 23:Genin test!
The day of the genin exams had finally arrived, and the air around the academy buzzed with both excitement and tension. Parents gathered anxiously outside the academy gates, their hopeful faces showing just how much this day meant to them. For many, this would be the first step in a long and challenging journey for their children.
Inside the academy building, near the training grounds, Iruka stood tall in front of his students. His usually warm expression had turned serious as he took in the line of young ninjas-in-training. Today, he wasn't just their teacher; he was their examiner. 'They've all worked so hard for this,' he thought, feeling a mixture of pride and responsibility. This was the moment that would determine if they were ready to take the next step in their shinobi journey.
He scanned the rows of students, some of whom were nervously shifting on their feet, glancing at each other or biting their lips. Iruka's gaze softened when he saw Yuto, Naruko, and Hitomi standing confidently together. 'The monster trio,' he thought with a small smile. He'd watched these three stand out since their very first year, growing stronger with each challenge.
"Alright, everyone," Iruka called out, his voice carrying authority and reassurance. "Today is the day you've all been preparing for. The genin exams are a crucial step in your journey as shinobi of Konoha. You've trained hard, you've put in the effort, and now it's time to see if that hard work will pay off."
A few students exchanged glances, while others straightened their backs, determination flashing in their eyes. Yuto looked around at his classmates, taking in their expressions. Some were tense, others excited. He glanced over at Naruko, who grinned and gave him a thumbs-up.
"Let's ace this!" she whispered, her usual fiery spirit shining through.
Yuto chuckled. "As if there was any doubt."
Beside them, Hitomi rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't get too cocky," she muttered, though a small smirk betrayed her confidence.
Iruka watched their interactions, pleased to see that despite their competitiveness, they shared a bond that would make them stronger.
Iruka addressed the students, explaining the five-stage format of the genin exam.
"For the first stage, we'll be testing your speed and stamina with an obstacle race," he announced, a hint of challenge in his voice. "You're not allowed to use any jutsu to assist you. This course is far more challenging than any race you've done before, so give it everything you've got."
The students tensed in excitement and apprehension as they prepared. They were divided into groups of five to start the course, which was filled with hurdles, narrow paths, and dangerous traps —all designed to push them to their limits.
Yuto felt his adrenaline spike as he took his position, eyes fixed on the path ahead. Naruko grinned beside him, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Think you can keep up, Yuto?" she teased.
He smirked, replying, "Try not to fall behind, Naruko."
As the signal was given, each group bolted through the course, focusing all their energy on navigating the obstacles. The entire class gave it their best, but by the end, it was clear who dominated the race. The monster trio—Yuto, Naruko, and Hitomi—had finished far ahead of the others, their times impressive.
Iruka nodded in approval, noting their performance. 'These three are on another level,' he thought, pride filling his chest.
With the taijutsu test next, the students prepared for one-on-one sparring matches, each pair showcasing their physical strength and speed. The monster trio—Yuto, Naruko, and Hitomi—stood out as they quickly dominated their matches, their skill levels clearly a cut above the rest. The other students could only watch in awe as the trio made each bout look almost effortless, each of them "blitzing" through their opponents with precision and control.
Moving on to the third test, Iruka gathered the students indoors, instructing them to sit cross-legged and practice the leaf-sticking exercise as a test of their chakra control. They would be graded based on how long they could keep the leaf stuck to their foreheads, a deceptively simple yet challenging exercise.
The civilian students generally struggled, with most managing around an hour, with Sakura impressively pushing slightly beyond, only falling short due to her small chakra reserve. Clan heirs, benefiting from clan-based chakra training, held on longer, many of them making it to the two-hour mark. However, as the test wore on, the gap between the monster trio and the rest of the class became starkly clear. Naruko held out for an impressive three hours, her determination visible as she grinned despite the strain. Hitomi, never one to back down, surpassed Naruko by twelve minutes, shooting her a teasing look as she finally let the leaf fall, with naruko gritting her teeth at her.
But Yuto's chakra control was in a league of its own. As the timer ticked on, he maintained his focus with ease, surpassing even the expectations of his classmates and teacher. Iruka glanced at his watch as Yuto neared the five-hour mark, impressed—and slightly concerned.
"Alright, Yuto, that's enough," Iruka finally called, raising his hand. "You've more than proven your control. I don't think anyone could doubt your skill in this area."
Yuto nodded, letting the leaf fall as he rubbed his neck. 'Five hours… not bad,' he thought, satisfied with his progress. The other students exchanged resigned looks, murmuring among themselves. After four years of being outshined by the trio, many were beginning to wonder if they could ever match up.
Watching the trio's consistent dominance, even Iruka couldn't help but feel a sense of pride mixed with amazement.
The fourth test, a written exam, proved to be a breeze for Yuto and Hitomi, and they weren't worried about Naruko either, having drilled her on the theory section for a month. Iruka graded the exams while the students took a break, reminding them to prepare for the final ninjutsu test. When the results were announced, Yuto unsurprisingly placed first. But then, in a shocking twist, Sakura took second place, surpassing both Hitomi and Naruko.
The trio exchanged surprised glances. "No way, we actually lost to Sakura on the written exam," Hitomi muttered, feeling a pang of regret for not dedicating more time to academics. Naruko chuckled nervously. "Maybe focusing mostly on training wasn't the best idea…"
The rest of the class, however, wore expressions of disbelief. Some gaped openly, as if they'd just witnessed something as bizarre as Danzo expressing genuine love for Hiruzen's picture while plotting against him. It seemed impossible that Sakura, typically seen as "just another student," could outscore two of the academy's elite.(The fuck did I just write.)
(Pls give me some power stones!)
(Find out next time on Naruto:Eye system)